Sports sled

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a sports sled configured to be used individually or in connection with one or more additional sports sleds. The sports sled includes a support base and a support frame fixedly attached to the support base. The support frame can be configured to support an attachable pad that absorbs impacts thereupon such that the support base can slide on a support surface, such as the ground. The sports sled can also include connection plates and connectors configured to couple the sports sled to another sports sled positioned adjacent to the sports sled. In some embodiments, a first connection plate and its associated connectors can extend parallel to the ground, and a second connection plate and its associated connectors can extend perpendicular to the ground. The connection plates can be removably connected to the sports sled using, for example, connectors configured as pegs.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/940,903, filed Feb. 18, 2014, and titled “RUGBY SLED”; and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/953,142, filed Mar. 14, 2014, and titled “RUGBY SLED”. U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/940,903 and 61/953,142 are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Sport sleds are used in sporting activities for conditioning players. For example, a player pushes on a sports sled when practicing for a sport such as football or soccer.

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key and/or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Also, this Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter in any manner.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to a sports sled configured to be used individually or in connection with one or more additional sports sleds. The sports sled includes a support base and a support frame fixedly attached to the support base. The support frame can be configured to support an attachable pad that absorbs impacts thereupon such that the support base can slide on a support surface, such as the ground. The sports sled can also include connection plates and connectors configured to couple the sports sled to another sports sled positioned adjacent to the sports sled. In some embodiments, a first connection plate and its associated connectors can extend parallel to the ground, and a second connection plate and its associated connectors can extend perpendicular to the ground. The connection plates can be removably connected to the sports sled using, for example, connectors configured as pegs.

DRAWINGS

The Detailed Description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view illustrating a sports sled in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the sports sled illustrated in FIG. 1, where an attachable pad comprising a first pad and a second pad spaced a shoulder width apart is attached to the sports sled.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the attachable pad illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the sports sled illustrated in FIG. 1, where an attachable pad comprising an angled pad is attached to the sports sled.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the attachable pad illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view illustrating multiple sports sleds, where the sports sleds are connected together with connection plates in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an exploded isometric view of the sports sleds illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view illustrating a connection plate for connecting multiple sports sleds together, such as the sports sleds illustrated in 6, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view illustrating another connection plate for connecting multiple sports sleds together, such as the sports sleds illustrated in 6, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a partial side elevation view illustrating connection of the sports sleds illustrated in 6.

FIG. 11 is an end elevation view of the sports sleds illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the sports sleds illustrated in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, example features. The features can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the combinations set forth herein; rather, these combinations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Sports sleds can be used in a variety of sports conditioning drills. Some sports utilize a variety of different sleds to assist with different drills. In rugby, for example, different configurations of sleds can include nick sleds, one-man scrum sleds, and two-man scrum sleds. However, a lack of versatility in rugby sleds often means athletes and teams purchase and maintain multiple types of costly sleds in order to perform a full range of rugby drills.

A sports sled is described herein that is configured to be used individually or in connection with one or more additional sports sleds. The sports sled includes a support base and a support frame coupled with the support base. The support frame is configured to support attachable pads that absorb impact. The sports sled can also include connection plates and connectors configured to connect a first sports sled to a second sports sled positioned adjacent to it.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 through 12, sports sleds 100 are described. A sports sled 100 is configured to be used individually, or in connection with another sports sled 100. As described herein, a sports sled 100 includes a support base 102 configured to rest upon a support surface (e.g., the ground, grass, turf, etc.). The sports sled 100 also includes a support frame 104 fixedly attached to the support base 102. In embodiments of the disclosure, the support frame 104 is configured to support one or more attachable pads 106 and absorb an impact on an attachable pad 106, e.g., where the impact is directed generally parallel to the ground. For example, the support base 102 is configured to slide upon the ground.

In some embodiments, the support base 102 can comprise a pan having a flat, horizontal bottom with a rim extending generally upwardly around, or at least partially around, the periphery of the bottom of the pan, so that the pan is configured to slide and/or rotate as it is pushed along the ground. This configuration can allow players to push and torque the sports sled 100 during practice drills. In some embodiments, the support base 102 can be formed from one-quarter inch (¼ in.) press brake cold-rolled steel. However, this material is provided by way of example and is not meant to limit the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the support base 102 can be formed from one or more different materials. The support base 102 may also have a different shape. It should be noted that a pan configuration is provided by way of example and is not meant to limit the present disclosure. For instance, in other embodiments, the support base 102 can include wheels (e.g., removably attachable wheels), which can allow the support base 102 to slide with respect to a support surface, such as the ground. For example, the sports sled 100 can be used in a gymnasium, and so forth. Further, such wheels can include a biasing mechanism (e.g., a braking mechanism) to restrict and/or resist movement of the sports sled 100. For instance, attachable wheels can be biased to resist movement of the sports sled 100 when impacted during training and so on.

In embodiments of the disclosure, the support frame 104 can comprise tubular members that form a frame for supporting an attachable pad 106. For example, the support frame 104 can be formed from two-inch square (2 in. by 2 in.) steel tubing with one-eighth inch (⅛ in.) thick walls. The support frame 104 is fixedly attached to the support base 102. For example, the support frame 104 can be welded and/or fastened to the support base 102 (e.g., using screws, bolts, pins, and so on). However, this configuration is provided by way of example and is not meant to limit the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the support frame 104 can be formed from one or more different materials. The support frame 104 may also be connected to the support base 102 using one or more other connection techniques.

An attachable pad 106 supportable by the support frame 104 can be configured to absorb impacts directed generally parallel to the ground. In some embodiments, the attachable pad 106 is removable and can be interchanged with one or more additional attachable pads 106, e.g., where each attachable pad 106 has a different configuration. For example, the support frame 104 includes connectors 108 (e.g., pegs) that connect with slotted brackets 110 on the attachable pads 106. In some embodiments, one or more latches 112 can be included to further secure an attachable pad 106 to the support frame 104. For example, a latch 112 rotates to hook a connector 108.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, an attachable pad 106 can include a first pad 114 and a second pad 116 spaced a shoulder width apart. In some embodiments, the distance of the pads 114 and 116 from the support frame 104 can be adjustable. For instance, the pads 114 and 116 can be disposed at respective ends of a first extensible support 118 and a second extensible support 120, each of which can include a support member and an extensible member, which can be fixed with respect to one another using, for example, one or more locking pins 122. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an attachable pad 106 can also include a first strap 124 and a second strap 126 (e.g., one or more nylon straps) positioned proximate to the first pad 114 and the second pad 116, respectively. For example, the straps 124 and 126 can be positioned on respective slotted brackets 110 on the attachable pads 106. In implementations, the straps 124 and 126 can be used as handles, allowing a player to grab and hold onto a sports sled 100, e.g., to simulate, for example, rugby conditions in a scrum. In some embodiments, the first pad 114 and/or the second pad 116 can be rectangular in shape and can be reoriented (e.g., to accommodate differently sized users). For example, the pads 114 and 116 can be removed from the extensible supports 118 and 120 and reattached in a different orientation, e.g., repositioned from the vertical orientation shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 to a horizontal orientation to reduce the amount of open space between the pads 114 and 116 and accommodate smaller users, users with narrower shoulders, and so forth.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, another attachable pad 106 can include a larger, generally rectangular angled pad 128 coupled to an angled frame 130. The angled pad 128 can extend from proximate to the support base 102 toward a top of the support frame 104. In implementations, this configuration can allow a sports sled 100 to be utilized as, for instance, a nick sled. However, it should be noted that the attachable pads 106 shown and described with reference to FIGS. 2 through 5 are provided by way of example and are not meant to limit the present disclosure. Thus, in other embodiments, differently configured attachable pads can be used with a sports sled 100. For example, attachable pads can be provided for other sports, including, but not necessarily limited to: football, soccer, and so forth.

Referring generally to FIGS. 6 through 12, in some embodiments a sports sled 100 can include a connection plate 132 and/or a connection plate 134 for connecting the sports sled 100 to one or more additional sports sleds 100. For example, two or more sports sleds 100 can be connected together and used as a two-man scrum sled and so forth. In embodiments of the disclosure, a first sports sled 100 is positioned adjacent to a second sports sled 100, and the connection plates 132 and 134 are used to connect the sports sleds 100 together. For example, the sports sled 100 includes connectors 136 (e.g., quick connectors), which are connected to the support frame 104 for removably connecting the connection plates 132 and 134 to the support frame 104. In some embodiments, the connection plate 132 can be configured to extend generally parallel to the ground (e.g., horizontally). For example, a first set of connectors 136 (e.g., two connectors) can extend in a direction generally parallel to the ground. The connection plate 134 can be configured to extend generally perpendicular to the ground (e.g., vertically). For example, a second set of connectors 136 (e.g., two more connectors) can extend in a direction generally perpendicular to the ground.

In some embodiments, one or more of the connectors 136 can be pegs formed using five-eighths inch (⅝ in.) diameter, cold-rolled carbon steel pins. However, this material is provided by way of example and is not meant to limit the present disclosure. In other embodiments, one or more connectors 136 can be formed from different materials. Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 10, the connection plate 132 can be configured as a pan having L-shaped slots 138 and slots 140 (e.g., an L-shaped slot 138 and a slot 140 on two opposing sides of the pan). As shown in FIG. 10, the connection plate 132 can be connected to a first set of opposing connectors 136 on two adjacent support frames 104 at the L-shaped slots 138, and then lowered onto a second set of opposing connectors 136 at the slots 140. In this manner, connection at the L-shaped slots 138 can facilitate alignment of adjacent sports sleds 100.

Then, the connection plate 134 can be connected to adjacent support frames 104 at another set of the connectors 136. For instance, the connection plate 134 can comprise a flat plate defining notched slots 142 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9), and can be lowered onto opposing sets of connectors 136 on adjacent support frames 104 at the notched slots 142. In this manner, the slots 138, 140, and/or 142 allow the connectors 136 to be configured as quick connectors. In some embodiments, the connection plate 134 can also define a handle 144, which can be used to lift the connection plate 134 to disengage it from the support frames 104.

In some embodiments, a support frame 104 can include eight connectors 136, e.g., four pegs on each side of the support frame 104. This configuration can resist force applied to the sleds while also providing flexibility to attach and facilitate alignment of multiple sleds. However, this configuration is provided by way of example and is not meant to limit the present disclosure. In other embodiments, the connectors 136 may comprise other fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, and so forth). As described herein, this configuration allows for a nick sled or one-man scrum sled to be configured as, for example, a two-man, a three-man scrum sled, and so on.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, in some embodiments, the sports sled 100 can include one or more locking mechanisms (e.g., latches 146) to further secure the connection plate 132 and/or the connection plate 134 to the support frame 104. For example, a latch 146 rotates to hook a connector 148 disposed on the connection plate 132.

In some embodiments, the support base 102 can include a support bar 150 vertically disposed on the support base 102 to receive one or more weights 152 for weighting the sports sled 100. The support base 102 may also include a support bar 154 vertically disposed on the support base 102 for receiving one or more additional weights 156 for weighting the sports sled 100. For example, the support bar 150 and the support bar 154 can be arranged in a direction extending away from the attachable pad 106. In this manner, a sports sled 100 can accommodate players of a variety of sizes and skill levels. In implementations, this configuration can also allow for uneven weighting (e.g., to simulate how a rugby team may organize a scrum based on the placement of players of various strengths and/or sizes and weights). In implementations, the weights 152 and/or 156 can comprise barbell weights.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sports sled comprising: a support base configured to rest upon a support surface; an attachable pad; a support frame fixedly attached to the support base, the support frame configured to support the attachable pad and absorb impacts thereupon directed parallel to the support surface, the support base configured to slide upon the support surface; a first connection plate for connecting the sports sled to a second sports sled when the sports sled is positioned adjacent to the second sports sled, the first connection plate configured to extend parallel to the support surface; a second connection plate for connecting the sports sled to the second sports sled when the sports sled is positioned adjacent to the second sports sled, the second connection plate configured to extend perpendicular to the support surface; and a plurality of connectors connected to the support frame, the plurality of connectors for removably connecting the first connection plate and the second connection plate to the support frame, wherein the plurality of connectors includes first connectors extending parallel to the support surface and second connectors extending perpendicular to the support surface for attaching respective ones of the first connection plate and the second connection plate to the support frame.
 2. The sports sled as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachable pad comprises a first pad and a second pad spaced a shoulder width apart with a first strap positioned proximate to the first pad and a second strap positioned proximate to the second pad.
 3. The sports sled as recited in claim 1, wherein the attachable pad comprises an angled pad extending from proximate to the support base toward a top of the support frame.
 4. The sports sled as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first connectors or the second connectors comprises a quick connector.
 5. The sports sled as recited in claim 4, wherein the quick connector comprises a peg configured to interface with a corresponding slot of the at least one of the first connection plate or the second connection plate.
 6. The sports sled as recited in claim 1, further comprising a support bar vertically disposed on the support base for receiving a weight for weighting the sports sled.
 7. The sports sled as recited in claim 6, further comprising a second support bar vertically disposed on the support base for receiving a second weight for weighting the sports sled, wherein the first support bar and the second support bar are arranged in a direction extending away from the attachable pad.
 8. A sports sled comprising: a support base configured to rest upon a support surface; a support frame fixedly attached to the support base, the support frame configured to support an attachable pad and absorb impacts thereupon directed parallel to the support surface, the support base configured to slide upon the support surface; a first connection plate for connecting the sports sled to a second sports sled when the sports sled is positioned adjacent to the second sports sled, the first connection plate configured to extend parallel to the support surface; a second connection plate for connecting the sports sled to the second sports sled when the sports sled is positioned adjacent to the second sports sled, the second connection plate configured to extend perpendicular to the support surface; and a plurality of connectors connected to the support frame, the plurality of connectors for removably connecting the first connection plate and the second connection plate to the support frame, wherein the plurality of connectors includes first connectors extending parallel to the support surface and second connectors extending perpendicular to the support surface for attaching respective ones of the first connection plate and the second connection plate to the support frame.
 9. The sports sled as recited in claim 8, further comprising an attachable pad including a first pad and a second pad spaced a shoulder width apart with a first strap positioned proximate to the first pad and a second strap positioned proximate to the second pad.
 10. The sports sled as recited in claim 8, further comprising an attachable pad including an angled pad extending from proximate to the support base toward a top of the support frame.
 11. The sports sled as recited in claim 8, wherein at least one of the first connectors or the second connectors comprises a quick connector.
 12. The sports sled as recited in claim 11, wherein the quick connector comprises a peg configured to interface with a corresponding slot of the at least one of the first connection plate or the second connection plate.
 13. The sports sled as recited in claim 8, further comprising a support bar vertically disposed on the support base for receiving a weight for weighting the sports sled.
 14. The sports sled as recited in claim 13, further comprising a second support bar vertically disposed on the support base for receiving a second weight for weighting the sports sled, wherein the first support bar and the second support bar are arranged in a direction extending away from the attachable pad.
 15. A sports sled comprising: a support base configured to rest upon a support surface; an attachable pad comprising a first pad and a second pad spaced a shoulder width apart with a first strap positioned proximate to the first pad and a second strap positioned proximate to the second pad; a support frame fixedly attached to the support base, the support frame configured to support the attachable pad and absorb impacts thereupon directed parallel to the support surface, the support base configured to slide upon the support surface; a first connection plate for connecting the sports sled to a second sports sled when the sports sled is positioned adjacent to the second sports sled; a second connection plate for connecting the sports sled to the second sports sled when the sports sled is positioned adjacent to the second sports sled; and a plurality of connectors connected to the support frame, the plurality of connectors for removably connecting the first connection plate and the second connection plate to the support frame, wherein the plurality of connectors includes first connectors and second connectors for attaching respective ones of the first connection plate and the second connection plate to the support frame.
 16. The sports sled as recited in claim 15, wherein the first connection plate is configured to extend parallel to the support surface, the second connection plate is configured to extend perpendicular to the support surface, the first connectors extend parallel to the support surface, and the second connectors extend perpendicular to the support surface.
 17. The sports sled as recited in claim 15, wherein at least one of the first connectors or the second connectors comprises a quick connector.
 18. The sports sled as recited in claim 17, wherein the quick connector comprises a peg configured to interface with a corresponding slot of the at least one of the first connection plate or the second connection plate.
 19. The sports sled as recited in claim 15, further comprising a support bar vertically disposed on the support base for receiving a weight for weighting the sports sled.
 20. The sports sled as recited in claim 19, further comprising a second support bar vertically disposed on the support base for receiving a second weight for weighting the sports sled, wherein the first support bar and the second support bar are arranged in a direction extending away from the attachable pad. 